This is like asking: People who eat food for the calories, why don't you just eat dry primate food pellets?

Because there's a big upside to enjoying the experience of drinking coffee with few downsides. If coffee was just caffeine dissolved in water it'd be a very different story

The same reason smokers don't just wear nicotine patches.

There's much more to the ritual. The caffeine may be part of it, but pulling in the other senses: the flavor, the smell, the warm mug in your hands, all add up to much more than a dose of caffeine.

People who have sex for the orgasm, why don’t you just masturbate?

I personally find that coffee delivers caffeine in a way superior to pills or Red Bulls or whatever. Coffee gives you a better buzz. Red Bulls and pills are like concentrates to flower. The nuances are lost. quit scratching, my fucking chair Oliver. Edit : on the phone, so I use speech to text and my cat is a dick

1. Coffee smells good
2. Coffee tastes good
3. Coffee is warm and comforting
4. Coffee is more socially acceptable than popping pills
5. Caffeine pills are somewhat harder to find. I can't order them at a restaurant.

Edit: I'll point out that you'll rarely find someone who only drinks coffee for the caffeine. For many (most?) it's just a perk, or even an unfortunate side-effect, hence the popularity of decaffeinated coffee.

Drinking gives higher comfort levels than pill popping.

I like the taste of coffee

You can put a lot of things in coffee.....I can't exactly mix whiskey with caffeine pills...

Cause I like the smell, the taste, the warmth. Maybe if I had no time I would take caffeine pills, but the experience of a cup of coffee is nice.

coffee means I can take a shit at work

On top of all the things said in this thread, I would also add caffeine is a diuretic. The liquid in coffee offsets that side effect.

Have you had a good cup of coffee?

When I was in my training for the Army, I did use caffeine pills - it was a jittery and uncomfortable experience, but I couldn't fill my canteen with coffee, and it's not like we were allowed to swing by a café.

Also when I used to go to conventions, and caffeine is handed out like crazy (because, gamers - so pimping your brand of caffeine is an obvious move, and free shit is good for business) - but it's also kinda "required" in order to get the most out of the experience. Late night parties and concerts and next morning panels, and more! Plus visiting the city!

But it's too much for just a normal day now, and the jitters and sour stomach aren't worth it. Part of the problem is that it's basically delivered all at once whereas I can add a little bit more caffeine throughout the day if I need it via coffee or soda or tea.

Titration.

I’m convinced that the “ugh, decaf, what’s the point?” crowd don’t actually like coffee and should just take caffeine pills, lol.

I dislike coffee. Something about the scent literally makes me nauseated.

So for years my caffeine source of choice was Mtn Dew. (I don't like black tea either. Tastes like boiled raisins to me, and yes I have tried the good stuff.)

Unfortunately, after years of this, I have developed The Beetus.

Today, I get my caffeine from caffeinated chewing gum. It's faster, less glycemic impact, and makes my breath nice. (Especially vs coffee breath.)

"People who drink to get drunk, why don't you just drink Everclear?"

Some people like coffee. It tastes like mud, feels like wet sediment in your mouth, but some people like it.

It's tasty and something to look forward to in the morning. It's also a pretty cheap luxury if you make it yourself.

coffee smells amazing. if I make it myself, I can do it cheaply & add whatever I want to it (freshly ground cinnamon is very nice).

if I want pills I can get them. I dont want them.

I do pills. Personally, it's because a pill releases it all at once and coffee is a dose over time, making the effect less.

Also, my pills are tempered with L-Theanine to blunt the jitters.

I do drink coffee for the caffeine. But its also yummy and soothing on cold days. Win win.

Because I also want to poop.

There's other healthy components in coffee that wouldn't be present in a caffeine pill. Plus, I like the taste.

Other people make a scene about it. Same with energy drinks. You won't get a health lecture if someone sees you drink a cup of coffee. Pop a pill? Prepare for unsolicited medical advice.

Also, they don't sell them at the grocery store or pharmacy I frequent.

tldr: it's too much of a hassle

I do both. Coffee ritual because it's nice time spent. But caffeine pills for the actual alertness.

I've asked my partner the same question a few times. They will drink 3-4 espresso over the course of an hour in the morning, so they could surely take a 200 mg pill and just have 1 cuppa. They just don't want to. And also will not try, so they will never know if they like it.

Pills don't warm me up.

Pills aren't as easily divisible/measurable.

Pills don't have a good taste like creamer.

The pills that I have make me too jittery (this might just be a reflection of the 2nd point).